Ok Joycelyn, here’s your concert review. (Btw, what do you need it for?)

Today, I enjoyed an evening of music at the Victoria Concert Hall. The National University of Singapore Symphony Orchestra (NUSSO) held a concert entitled “Romantic Fantastique”. It featured music from the Romantic period from composers such as Tchaikovsky and Hector Berlioz.

What I fascinated me about the programme was that is was purely Romantic. More interestingly, two of the works played, Variations in a Rococo Theme and Symphonie Fantastic seemed to be like “autobiographies” of Tchaikovsky and Berlioz respectively. I was left in awe as I read the programme notes and listened to what I learnt in O level music come alive – through music. What I heard from Chor Kwan (she heard it from someone else) was that Variations on a Rococo Theme by Tchaikovsky was a reflection of his not-so-happy marriage life (my music classmates will be able to tell anyone the details of Tchaikovsky’s romantic side of life very confidently). Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastic was a piece dedicated to a woman he loved, I think she’s called Harriet. The piece ends happily, although their real-life marriage didn’t. Now please ignore this whole paragraph because I think it has nothing to do with a concert review.

The concert had a great start. I’m sure the orchestra enjoyed playing the piece as much as i enjoyed listening to it. The lively and melodious passages were played with a noticeable sense of excitement. That positive energy was transferred, or rather, “radiated” (think transfer of energy) to the audience very effectively.

Next, Variations on a Rococo Theme by Tchaikovsky was played. The solo cellist played beautifully. Although she made a few slips while shifting (“leaping” would be a better description) positions. Other than the occasional inaccurate intonation, the piece was well thought-through. I liked the way the piece was interpreted. The orchestra did a good job of playing the role of accompanist. It managed to support the soloist throughout, although at one point, the balanced between both sides seemed, well.. unbalanced. The cellist was doing an impressive, super fast ascending scale. However, it was a pity all I could do was watch her fingers skilfully climb up the fingerboard. Perhaps the cellist wasn’t playing loudly enough, or the orchestra was too loud, or my ears are most probably to blame.

Finally, Symphonie Fantastic by Berlioz was performed. I admit I lost concentration at some points throughout the first few movements, but the sudden entrances of percussion or some fortissimo every now and then managed to perk me up a bit. I enjoyed the last two movements the most, partly because they were more energetic, and I was fascinated by the powerful brass passages. The orchestra also seemed to enjoy it more. I inferred that because the pieces were well played, very together and good intonation.

No performance can ever be perfect, but tonight was a very good attempt. Though some parts were not played together and there were some minor slips in intonation, the orchestra was otherwise near perfect. I especially admired the variation in dynamics the orchestra was able to achieve, as well as the unified phrasing.

Indeed, the Romantic Fantastique was fantastique!

(I’m regretted not picking up a programme booklet just now. I had to try hard to recall what I heard.. a sign of ageing)